Billy (Bill) Dean Connell, longtime Yale resident, passed from this life on Saturday March 6, 2021 in his home surrounded by family.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at Yale Assembly of God with Pastor Randell Newby officiating. Interment will follow at Lawson Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday, March 8, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Yale Assembly of God, with family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home of Cushing.

Bill Connell was born on March 24, 1942. His honorary parents, Frank and Bessie Connell, who raised him from birth in Okemah, OK. He grew up and attended Okemah schools, graduating later from OSU in the mid 90s.

Bill married the love of his life, Etta Green on May 1, 1961 in Okemah. Etta and Bill spent 56 loving years together. They had five children: Annette, Sherri, Vonda, Allen, and Harold.

Bill was a hardworking man with his first love being God and his family. He worked many years pipelining and in construction work. Later in life he became a diesel mechanic and retired. Following his retirement, he went full time pursuing his hobby as a leather craftsman.

Bill's hobbies included church, family, music and his animals. Whether it be volunteering countless hours in different ministries of the church, wrestling with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, family reunions, gathering around with others to play music, coonhunting in his youth with his coondog Buck, and taking care of his mules, Bill enjoyed life to the fullest.

Bill was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, son, uncle and friend. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Bill is survived by two daughters, Annette McWilliams and husband, Chuck of Yale and Sherri White of Perkins; one son, Harold Connell and wife Jessica of Ecru, MS; six sisters, Carolyn McKinney, and husband Bill of Inola, Erma Stuckey, and husband David of Moore, Bertha Burden of Poteau, Janna Byrd of Hodgen, Linda Long and husband Mel of Siloam Springs, AR, Deanna Scribner and husband Dale of Edmond; two brothers, Cebern Scott and wife Annette of Hodgen and Scotty Scott and wife Tresa of Bixby; eight grandchildren, Tanya Bowler, Rachel Villars, Tiffany Russell, Nathan Greer, Tabitha McCutcheon, DeeAnndra Kane, Dillon Connell, and Shaylynn Connell; fourteen great grandchildren: Kourie, Austin, Gracie, and Bella Villars, Jocelyn and Jett Russell, Aarianna, Garrette, and Baxton McCutcheon, Matthew Greer, JayDean, Erik and Joseph Kane, Lonteze Bowler, and Liam, Amy, and Owen; several nieces and nephews.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Etta Connell, his parents Frank and Bessie Connell, one daughter, Vonda Maynard, one son, Allen Connell, his brothers D.S. Connell, Jim Connell, Calvin (Rusty) Connell, sisters Dolores Connell, Bernice Chasteen, Lucille Matack, Birdie Gee, and Francis Garmon and biological father Scotty Scott and wife Genevieve.

In lieu of flowers, donation may be made in Bill's name to the Yale Assembly of God.